become firm customs in our lives today," said Yoshinori Horii, 60, the ninth-generation master of soba

Kirin Holdings President and CEO Yoshinori Isozaki talks in an interview with Kyodo News in Tokyo

National Stadium.... Past final torchbearers include Yoshinori Sakai, who was born on the day of the

named veterans with European experience in Vissel Kobe forwards Yuya Osako and Yoshinori Muto as well

28, and his death was confirmed about 3 1/ 2 hours later at the hospital.... The officer then apparently shot the man after he persisted and approached within about 2 meters of them.... The man was conscious just after being shot and was arrested on the spot on suspicion of obstructing the performance of public duty....

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Band and its Color Guard, MEC, perform during a special edition of the World Police Band Concert at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Japan's capital on the evening of Nov.... The World Police Band Concert has been held in Japan and cities overseas since 1996, when inaugural performances were staged in Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture, with The Mainichi Newspapers Co.as the main organizer.... This year a parade that is usually held in tandem with the concert was canceled, and the e

KOBE( Kyodo)--Douglas headed in the 86th-minute winner as Vissel Kobe claimed a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Avispa Fukuoka in the J-League top flight on Saturday, retaining control of the battle for a final top-three spot.... Left-back Ryo Hatsuse's cross found the Brazilian at the far post at Noevir Stadium, where the forward soared high to meet it and scored off the post to spark wild celebrations by the home team and fans.... The win took Vissel to 60 points as they seek automatic qualifi

Shunki Higashi of Sanfrecce Hiroshima scores from a free kick during a match against Vissel Kobe on Sept.... Daiju Sasaki headed in the 72nd-minute leveler as Vissel salvaged a point at Edion Stadium.... Vissel started the game level on points with Kashima Antlers, Sagan Tosu and Nagoya Grampus as they battle for third place and a spot in next season's Asian Champions League, but could not make their numerical advantage count....

OSAKA, Japan — Onstage, Niyo Katsura wore a delicate pink kimono.... Katsura proclaimed, “ Do you see me now, old men?... ” Over the nearly three-century existence of rakugo, the slapstick cousin of Japanese stage arts like kabuki and noh, most of its performers have been men who portray multiple characters of both genders....

Leo Ceara( C) of Yokohama F Marinos is congratulated by his teammates after opening the scoring with the first of his three goals in a 5-0 win over Vegalta Sendai in Yokohama in the J-League first division on Aug.... Despite seeing manager Ange Postecoglou leave for Celtic to be replaced by fellow Australian Kevin Muscat, F Marinos extended their unbeaten run to 12 games with Leo Ceara continuing his fine form following a brace in their last game.... Marcos Junior returned the favor three minu